Energising My Day, Maman Style
When the temperature drops and winter blues set in, staying healthy and motivated can be challenging. For a new mum in her 40s, finding the right balance between self-care and managing daily responsibilities is crucial. Here’s how strength training, cardio, and the 16:8 intermittent fasting method have become game-changers in my journey.
Juggling the school run, cooking, and endless responsibilities of motherhood can be overwhelming. Integrating strength training into my routine has been transformative. Here’s how:
- Regular strength training helps enhance my energy, crucial for managing the demands of parenting and perimenopause.
- Even short workouts release endorphins, which improve my mood and motivation.
Learn more about how exercise benefits new mums or read about the role of endorphins in fitness.
Shredding Lockdown Pounds
During the lockdown, I gained a few pounds due to overindulgence. Strength training, cardio, and intermittent fasting have helped me shed those pounds and become a healthier, vibrant self.
- Strength Training: Essential for muscle tone and metabolism.
- Cardio Workouts: Enhance overall fitness and burn calories.
- Intermittent Fasting: Helps regulate eating patterns and supports weight management.
Read about intermittent fasting benefits
Intermittent Fasting: The 16:8 Method
Intermittent fasting, particularly the 16:8 method, has been a vital tool in my health regime. It supports hormone balance and provides loads of benefits:
- Hormonal Support: Helps manage perimenopausal symptoms.
- Energy Regulation: Offers a structured eating pattern that fits into my busy schedule.
Supporting Each Other Through Strength Training
Being part of a multicultural family, strength training has become a pillar of support for us. It goes beyond physical fitness – it’s about fostering a sense of community and connection, especially during challenging times. One of the most special ways we’ve embraced this is by making our Body Pump sessions a dedicated “date day.”
Exercising with my husband in Body Pump has become our bonding time, away from the demands of daily life. It’s achance for us to focus on our health and well-being together while supporting each other through every lift and squat. Our Body Pump date days are more than just workouts – they’re a celebration of our partnership, helping us grow stronger not only physically, but also as a couple.
For a multicultural family like ours, these shared fitness routines break down barriers and cultural differences, strengthening our relationship on a deeper level. Exercising together builds mutual respect, understanding, and support, helping us navigate the complexities of parenthood and the challenges of our blended backgrounds.
The Benefits of Couples Workouts
- Connection and Support: Working out together strengthens our emotional connection and allows us to support each other’s fitness goals.
- Quality Time: Amidst the chaos of parenting and daily responsibilities, Body Pump sessions give us much-needed time together.
- Shared Achievements: Celebrating our progress, whether it’s lifting heavier weights or finishing a tough set, reinforces our bond and gives us shared victories.
Beyond the physical benefits, this weekly commitment has brought us closer together and made us stronger as a couple. It’s not just a workout – it’s our way of showing up for each other in the most empowering way possible.
If you’re looking for a way to strengthen both your body and your relationship, why not try a fitness date with your partner?
Defying Perimenopausal Blues
Strength training also combats the winter blues and perimenopausal symptoms:
- Mood Improvement: Regular exercise alleviates mood swings and enhances mental well-being.
- Combat SAD: Engaging in physical activity helps manage seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Bedtime Routine
A fixed bedtime routine helps regulate circadian rhythms and stabilises mood:
- Consistent Sleep Schedule: Regulates melatonin and cortisol production.
- Stress Reduction: Improves sleep quality and mental health.
Gym Connections
When the temperature drops and the winter blues creep in, staying motivated to exercise can be a real challenge. That’s where group fitness activities like Zumba come to the rescue. For me, joining the David Lloyd Zumba community has become an essential part of my winter wellness routine. It’s not just about the physical exercise – it’s the emotional support and sense of connection that make all the difference.
Zumba at David Lloyd Newcastle is more than just a workout; it’s a joyful, high-energy experience that elevates my mood, no matter how cold and gloomy it is outside. The combination of lively music, rhythmic dancing, and a room full of positive energy helps shake off the winter blues in the best way possible.
How Zumba Elevates My Mood
- Exercising with others helps strengthen connections and provides the motivation to keep going, even on those days when I’d rather stay under a blanket.
- The supportive Zumba community at David Lloyd Newcastle creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger. It’s more than just a fitness class – it’s a space where I can connect with others, share a laugh, and lift my spirits.
- When you’re surrounded by others who are also showing up for themselves, it creates a positive environment that helps combat feelings of isolation or low energy that often come with winter.
The benefits of group fitness classes go beyond physical health – they offer emotional and social support that can make all the difference during the colder months. So, whether it’s Zumba, spin class, or any other group activity, it’s worth exploring how these classes can uplift your mood and keep you motivated throughout the winter season.
If you’re looking to boost your energy, find a sense of community, and combat the winter blues, I highly recommend giving group fitness classes a try.
Discover the benefits of group fitness classes
Blue Monday Melancholy
Turning Blue Monday into a celebration of strength can combat the post-holiday blues:
- Workout Motivation: Exercise provides a natural mood boost and helps overcome winter blues.
- Endorphin Rush: A vigorous workout is an effective remedy for seasonal gloom.
Fact File:
- Consistent Sleep Schedule: Regulates circadian rhythms and enhances overall mental health, and self-care for all new mums.
- Strength Training: Boosts energy and mood, essential for managing parenting and perimenopausal challenges.
- Intermittent Fasting (16:8 Method): Supports hormonal balance and weight management.
- Vitamin D: Critical during winter for mood regulation; consider supplements.
- Group Exercise: Provides emotional support and motivation, especially during the winter months.
Share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below! For more tips on staying fit and healthy, check out my other blog posts and join our community of wellness enthusiasts.
One response to “How Strength Training and Intermittent Fasting Are Empowering”
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I have been working out for almost five years now and cannot imagine my life without it.
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